GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE

RED DIVISION

COLONIACoach: Chris Chiera, sixth season.Last season: 12-13.Letterwinners: 2 returning, 10 lost.Roster: Jordan McDaniel (Sr., G/F, 6-5); Greg Jones (Sr., PG, 5-11); Brandon Edzek (Sr., G, 6-0); Erik Matthews (Sr., G, 5-10); Trent Barneys (Sr., G, 5-1); Amir Allen (Jr, G, 5-7); Bleriot Thompson (Jr., F, 6-3); Dan Zalink (So., F, 6-3); James Corbett (Fr., G, 5-10); Rauel Cardona (Fr., F, 6-1).Outlook: The Patriots will be looking to McDaniel and Jones for leadership as they’re the only two starters back from last year’s team. The 2011-2012 roster has a football flavor to it with 2011 Home News Tribune Offensive Player of the Year Jones running the point and Barneys, the football team’s quarterback, in the backcourt mix as well. Although not deep, Colonia should be a physical team to handle both on the inside and on the perimeter.

J.P. STEVENSCoach: Bobby Jones, third season.Last season: 4-19.Letterwinners: 4 returning, 5 lost.Roster: Marvin Crawford (Sr., F, 6-4); Brandon Ahmed (Sr., G, 5-10); Sahej Chowdhary (Jr., G, 5-10); John Maxham (Jr., G, 5-10); Scott Harris (So., F, 6-1); Frank Smith (So., C, 5-11); Jalen Sorrell (Jr., C, 6-3); Xavier Johnson (Jr. G, 5-11); Ace Townsend (Sr., C, 6-3); Charles Weller (Sr., G., 5-9).Outlook: Jones is expecting another step in Hawks the rebuilding process in year three of his tenure. The offense will be predicated upon Crawford, who grew into a forward during the offseason, and will play the role of a slasher. Harris steps into a big role immediately as another wing and good shooter. Stevens will try to get out and run with the athleticism of Crawford and Ahmed. Maxham and Harris are the best spot-up shooters. “We lost a lot fourth-quarter leads last season,” Jones said. “We need to learn how to finish games.”

OLD BRIDGECoach: Paul Salisbury, fourth season.Last season: 4-17.Letterwinners: 6 returning, 3 lost.Roster: Tyler Drews (So., G, 6-0); Fulton Aminu (Jr., F, 6-5); Jordan Marrero (Jr. F, 6-3); Alex Sastoque (Sr., G, 5-8); Isaiah Velez (Sr., F, 6-3); Chris Conrad (Jr., G, 5-10); Kola Adelaye (So., G, 5-10); Kyle Mapson (So., G, 6-0); Justin Simboli (Jr., G, 5-8); Alfonso Brown (Sr., F, 6-3).Outlook: The Knights need to start fast after struggling mightily last season, and their goal is to put a few more in the win column. Although they stand as tall as anyone in the division, conditioning has been the main focus in the off season and Old Bridge will look to run. Drews, who started as a freshman, is the point man who’ll try to get them out in transition. They’ll play man to man defense, communicate and try to get some steals leading to easy buckets.

SOUTH BRUNSWICKCoach: Joe Hoehman, fifth season.Last season: 10-12.Letterwinners: 7 returning, 6 lost.Roster: Jared Green (Sr., G, 5-10); Michael Green (Sr., G, 5-10); Nick Muha (Sr., F, 6-2); DaVaugh Pullum (Sr., F, 6-1); Danny Strickland (Sr., F, 6-3); Chris Bourne (Sr., F, 6-3); Dion Hooper (Jr., G, 5-9); Sean Keenan (Jr., G, 6-0); Jordan Porch (Jr., G, 5-11); Tony Ross (Jr., G, 5-9); Corey Lumpkin (So., G, 5-9); Jack Engel (Fr., G, 6-0); Dontae Strickland (Fr., G, 5-10).Outlook: The Vikings hopes are high with four starters back. Key returners such as Green, Strickland, Bourne, Hooper, Keenan, andTaylor will be asked to carry much of the load on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Other additional pieces that will play a vital role in this year’s success will be Muha, who missed all of last year due to an injury, Green, Pullum, Porch, Ross, Lumpkin, Engel, and Strickland. “Most, if not all of these players will be asked to make positive contributions to assist in the success of the 2011-12 campaign,” said Hoehman.

ST. JOSEPHCoach: Dave Turco, seventh season.Last year: 23-5.Letterwinners: 6 returning, 4 lost.Roster: Quentin Decosey (Sr., G/F, 6-6); Danny Brix (Sr., G/F, 6-3); Karim Awad (Sr., G, 6-1); Jalen Gilmore (Sr., G/F, 6-4); Jordan Tapia (Sr., G, 5-9); Tyler Weeks (Sr., G, 5-9); Jimbo Long (Jr., G, 5-11); James Ziemba (Jr., C/F, 6-9); Karl Towns (Fr., F, 6-11); Marcus Ashamole (Fr., F, 6-4); Tom Cicalese (Jr., G, 5-10); Mike Cintron (So., F, 6-4); Brian Fitzpatrick (Jr., G/F, 6-2); Sal Hasan (Jr., G, 5-11); Matt Green (Jr., G, 5-9); Matt Woody (Jr., F, 6-4); Mike Brunson (Jr., G/F, 6-2).Outlook: The Falcons return three starters in Decosey, Brix and Long, as well as James Ziemba, who started his share of games and was their first man off the bench when he wasn’t in the starting lineup. As talented the two-time defending GMCT champs are, they aren’t as experienced as they’ve been in the past, but they might be more talented. They’ll have two freshmen, Towns and Ashamole, in the rotation on most nights, so early they may not be as polished as expected. Towns Jr is considered by many as the best freshman in the state and by some even the country. “Even with the additions of (Towns) and (Ashamole), our success will be based on the role players in our system,” said Turco.

NEW BRUNSWICKCoach: Antoine Allen, fifth season.Last season: 13-11.Letterwinners: 2 returning, 8 lost.Roster: Jelani Booker (Sr., G, 5-9); Keven Nunez (So., G, 5-7); Chad Mordecai (Jr., G, 5-9); Paul McKenzie (Jr., G, 5-11), Ahman Sannoh (Jr., G, 5-11); Ilo Idioka (Sr., F, 5-11); Samaad Thomas (Sr., F, 6-4); Za’Kry Shivers (Sr., G/F, 6-0); Jason Saldiveri (So. G, 5-11); Wilson Garcia (Sr., G, 5-8); Juan Peralta (Jr., G, 5-8); James Chapple (Sr., F, 5-11); Milton Pittman (Sr., G/F, 6-3); Tre’Jon Wilson (So., F, 5-10); Thomas Pena (Jr., F, 6-4).Outlook: The Zebras lack size, their perimeter shooting can be shaky at times, and they’ll commit a few too many turnovers as they’ll tend to play a little bit faster than they should. Said Allen, “Our goals are to compete on a daily and game basis at all times to the best of our ability; finish in the top half of the GMC White Division; be a top 10 GMC team defensively — in scoring and field goal percentage; and to qualify for the state tournament by being over .500 before cut-off date If we can accomplish those goals, we should be in position to compete for championships.”

WOODBRIDGECoach: Antoine Patterson, fourth season.Last season: 13-13.Letterwinners: 5 returning, 3 lost.Roster: Keith Hughes (Sr., F, 6-5); Kyle Pearson (Sr., F, 6-5); Kyle Anderson (Sr., PG, 5-11); DuQuan Bailey (Jr., G, 5-9); Mika Graham (Jr., C, 6-6); Bobby Marquez (Sr., PG, 5-10); Kalil Jordan (Jr., SG, 6-1); Gerald Charles (Sr., C, 6-5); Jered Pearson (Jr., F, 6-4); Anthoony Nyers (Sr., PF, 6-3); Justin Hernanadez (Jr., G, 5-10); Jaheem Jackson (Jr., PF, 6-1).Outlook: When the Barrons are at their best offensively, Anderson (who holds nearly every single record for a quarterback atWoodbridge) and Bailey are minimizing turnovers so they can feed the ball down low to one of the most talented front-court tandems in the county in Hughes and Pearson. Barring injury, they’ll each go over 1,000 points this winter, and the two of them have the ability to carry the team on any given night. Pearson, who combines power and finesse, is the first Division I signee from the program since 1989. Hughes is a better perimeter shooter, but Pearson can handle the ball if need be.

HIGHLAND PARKCoach: Derek Nobles, sixth season.Last season: 5-15.Letterwinners: 3 returning, 4 lost.Roster: Jason Potts (Sr., F 6-1); Quatay Nesmith (Jr., G, 6-1); Nadre Hepburn (Jr., G, 5-10); Jordan Long (Jr., F, 6-2); Joe Aversa (Sr., F, 6-0); Juan Santana (Sr., F, 6-3); Melshawn Taylor (Jr., F, 5-10); Frankie Johnson (Jr., F, 6-0); Will Jacob-Perez (Fr., F, 6-3); Harry Landis (So., G, 5-9).Outlook: Although they return three letterwinners from last season, the Owls are by no means experienced. They have a little bit of size, especially with the nice addition of the freshman Jacob-Perez, but do not be fooled. For this team to finish around .500, they will have to run and gun teams to death. And it just so happens that speed and quickness is plentiful on the 2011-12 roster.

METUCHENCoach: John Korellis, first season.Last season: 9-14.Letterwinners: 6 returning, 3 lost.Roster: Tim Redshaw (Sr., G, 6-2); Ryan O’ Neill (Jr., G, 5-8); Kauri Quaills (Sr., F, 6-2), Hunter Clarke (So., F, 6-5), Brian Eustace (So., G, 6-1); Stephen Fortuna (Sr., F, 6-3); Thomas Chalker (Fr., G, 5-6); Artie Flaherty (Fr., G, 6-0); Wilmot Yallarti (Sr., F, 6-3); Matt Meoni (Sr., G, 5-8); Robbie Brennan (Sr., G 6-0).Outlook: Korellis returns to Metuchen after spending five years with the Hoop Group and brings an entirely new philosophy than the one he served under as an assistant to former coach Rich Stoner. Redshaw is their main slasher and O’Neil is their best spot-up shooter. They’ll need to handle the bulk of the scoring load. Eustace, Chalker and Flaherty are the young nucleus of this team that will propel the Bulldogs going forward. “We need to adapt to what other teams do,” he said.

MIDDLESEXCoach: Art Tooles, first season.Last season: 10-11.Letterwinners: 4 returning, 6 lost.Roster: Connor Bogus (Jr., F, 6-0); Jarret Bogus (So., G/F, 6-2); Chris Fuscoletti (Sr., G/F, 5-9); Tom Helmstetter (Jr., G, 5-8); Nick Hionis (Sr., G, 5-8); Blake Jackson (Jr., G/F, 6-0); Anthony Keri (So., G/F, 5-8); Tyreek Martin (Sr., F/C, 6-3); Mitchell Smith (Sr., F, 5-7); Javier Cox (So., G, 5-5); Emilio Gonzalez-Aedelio (So., G/F, 5-10); Farukh Kahn (Jr., F, 5-9).Outlook: After an eight-year stint at the helm ofFranklin’s girls, Tooles takes over a successful program that looks to be rebuilding. Helmstetter is the lone returning starter. Fuscoletti and Connor Bogus gained experience last year and will help. Jarret Bogus could be an impact newcomer. Illnesses have prevented the full lineup from practicing together as Tooles installs his system, so it could be bumpy early. “It’s a good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen,” Tooles said. “We’re still trying to find the right combinations, but we have established a good inside-outside presence on the offensive and a solid foundation on the defensive end.”

PERTH AMBOY TECHCoach: John Meyer, third season.Last season: 7-17.Letterwinners: 6 returning, 1 lost.Roster: Rashad Adams (Sr. F, 6-2); Malcolm Batts (Sr. G, 6-0); Wilfredo Nieves (Sr. C/F, 6-0); Saul Rosa (Sr. F, 6-2); Kelvin Perez (Jr. G, 6-2); Jonathan Sosa (Jr. G, 5-11); Chris Saladana (Sr. G, 5-7); Agnel Etienne (Jr. F, 5-10); Yandi Rosa (Sr. G, 5-4); Jordan Little (Fr. C, 6-4); Anthony Mena (Jr. G, 5-5).Outlook: The Patriots dropped from 10 to seven wins in Meyer’s second season at the helm last year, but with all five starters returning, the third-year coach expects his team to make a strong push for the division. Two seniors are looking to reach major milestones:Adams is 252 points away from breaking the all-time school scoring record and Batts is 220 points away from becoming the eighth player in team history to join the 1,000-point club. Adams, who missed the first seven games of last season due to injury, is also 275 rebounds away from reaching 1,000 for his career.

WARDLAW-HARTRIDGECoach: James McGowan, third season.Last season: 9-13.Letterwinners: 3 returning, 5 lost.Roster: Matt Rosado (Jr., G, 5-10); Noah Ganz (Jr., G, 5-10); Arturo Martinez (Sr., G/F, 5-10); John Belfer (Jr., F/C, 6-3); Justen Davis (Jr., G/F, 6-3); Max Hernandez-Webster (Jr., C, 6-4); Chris Patel (Jr., F, 6-0).Outlook: It could be a rebuilding year as the Rams lost four starters, including senior forward Jordan del Sol (elected to focus on baseball) and junior guard Elijah Torres (transferred to Carteret). But they do have one of the division’s better players inDavis (15 ppg, 10 rpg), who could notch his 1,000th point as a junior and has “been taking a leadership role in our whole transition,” McGowan said. Ganz andMartinez also have varsity experience. Newcomer Rosado will run the point. “We’re looking for some younger guys to step up,” McGowan said. “The freshmen and sophomores on our JV team now, by midseason we’re looking for them to have a significant role on varsity.”

FRANKLIN
Coach: Daryn Plummer, first season.Last season: 12-12.Letterwinners: 4 returning, 4 lost.Roster: Jarrett Edwards (Sr., G, 5-4); Stephen Mayer (Sr., G, 5-9); Jalen Hyde (Sr., G, 5-9); Cory Livingston (Jr., G, 5-8); Derek Thorne (Jr., G, 5-8); James Molson (Sr., F, 5-11); Kenny Chapman (Sr., F, 6-3); Joshua McGriff (Jr., F/C, 6-7); Elmer Rivera (Sr., F/C, 6-5); Carlton Agudosi (Sr., F, 6-6); Karl Gray (Sr., F, 6-0); Steven Ogletree (Sr., G, 5-7).Outlook: The Warriors are in flux yet again with their fifth head coach over the past seven years. Fortunately Plummer, who got the job in November after Kerry Foderingham resigned, knows the players because he already was on the staff. Mayer and Rutgers-bound football standout Carlton Agudosi are returning starters, providing a reliable inside-outside combo. Gray and Edwards saw time last winter. Beyond that is unknown. There is some good size on the roster, plus the usual athleticism. Plummer is trying to make the Warriors more versatile. “The teams we play are going to slow the game down,” he said. “We have to be able to force turnovers while working to get more efficient in half court.”

About Joe Martino

Joe Martino has covered Central Jersey news and sports for the Courier News and Home News Tribune since 2009. Currently, he’s an innovative member of the MyCentralJersey.com online news team. He’s lived in Bridgewater his entire life and is a graduate of Ramapo College.

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Joe MartinoJoe Martino has covered Central Jersey news and sports for the Courier News and Home News Tribune since 2009. Currently, he’s an innovative member of the MyCentralJersey.com online news team. He’s lived in Bridgewater his entire life and is a graduate of Ramapo College.E-mail Joe

Mike BeckerMike Becker is a graduate of Rutgers University. He has been working at the Home News Tribune since the spring of 2011. During his time at Rutgers, he covered the school's football, and both the men's and women's basketball teams, for WRSU-FM.E-mail Mike